Gee family laid to rest; police still looking for truck

Monday

Sep 28, 2009 at 12:01 AMSep 28, 2009 at 8:00 PM

As a crowd of family and friends mourns the loss of five members of the Gee family during Monday’s funeral services, authorities have released additional information about a truck wanted in connection with their murders.

Amanda Reavy

As a crowd of family and friends mourns the loss of five members of the Gee family during Monday’s funeral services, authorities have released additional information about a truck wanted in connection with their murders.

The truck is described as a gray or silver primer color small pickup with a squared-off front end. The truck, possibly a Ford Ranger or a Chevrolet S-10, has vertical exhaust pipes located behind the rear tires and in front of the tailgate.

“However, it should also be noted that the pipes could easily have been sawn off by this point in time,” according to a release put out by a task force of law enforcement agencies that’s investigating the slayings.

The truck was seen late Sept. 20 or early Sept. 21 in the area where Raymond “Rick” and Ruth Gee and their three children – Justina Constant, 16, Dillen Constant, 14, and Austin Gee, 11 – were found dead inside their Beason home about 4:30 p.m. Sept. 21. All were beaten to death.

The couple’s 3-year-old daughter, Tabitha, survived the attack and has been hospitalized in Peoria.

The task force asks anyone who knows someone with such a truck, regardless of make or model, to call a tip line at (217) 732-3000.

Authorities have said that evidence collected at the Gee’s home suggests a “violent struggle” took place during the attacks and that the killer or killers likely were injured.

The public is urged to be on the lookout for anyone with recent injuries to their arms, head and upper body. Such injuries could include cuts, bruises, contusions, abrasions and/or hair loss.

Authorities say it’s possible the attacker or attackers may not have sought medical treatment.

More than a dozen law enforcement officers from various police agencies are involved in the investigation.

Meanwhile, nearly 500 people gathered to remember the family at funeral services in Mount Pulaski. members of the Gee family who were found slain in their Beason home last week.

They were remembered as "just simple people."

Family friend John Johnson said the Gees were down to earth. He says that "to honor this family, just keep it real."

Relatives spoke at the funeral service and remembered the family as warm and welcoming. They said Rick Gee was mild-mannered and had a big heart.

An Illinois State Police squad car sat outside the worship center during the service.